M5lp 1209 13 2013 Shelby Gt500 Total Package

Some 5,000 dragstrip launches during development showed a need to beef the GT500's axle tube-to-carrier junction torsional stiffness. That's a fancy way of saying the car was trying to twist its axle tubes out of the differential. The fix? Increase the axle tube diameter slightly for a tighter interference fit and add puddle (rosette) welds where photographer Dale is pointing. Inside, the axle shafts are carryover from '12.